ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, USHUAIA, CAPE HORN AND DRAKE PASSAGE
On this epic adventure, you begin by exploring the historic city of Buenos Aires before boarding a ship for your 10-night Antarctic expedition. Surrounded by gorgeous mountains, you’ll sail out of the Beagle Channel into Drake Passage, spotting wildlife along the way. Stopping throughout the South Shetland Islands next, you can start to explore the Antarctic landscape, take in incredible views of glaciers, and find animals such as seals, penguins, seabirds, and more. As you continue on, the ship will navigate through the many beautiful bays of the Antarctic Peninsula, offering rare landings to discover even more of this dramatic landscape. Finally, pass the famous Cape Horn en route back to Argentina for your last night of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options
for groups of 15 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 1 night in Buenos Aires
- 10-night Antarctica Cruise
- 1 night in Buenos Aires
Tour Highlights
- Buenos Aires City Tour
- Navigate the Beagle Channel
- Cross the Drake Passage
- Traverse Cape Horn
- South Shetland Islands
- Explorations by Zodiac (small boat)
- Get Close to penguins & seals
- Hear the roar of the glaciers
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from Miami (MIA) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- All intra-South America flights, ground transportation and transfers
- 2 nights in a deluxe hotel in Buenos Aires
- Once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic expedition
- Free WiFi on the ship when available
- Buenos Aires City Tour
- Ushuaia Orientation Tour
- 34 Meals: 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 12 dinners
- House wine and house beer available at lunch and dinner
- English-speaking Tour Director throughout
- Experienced Cruise Expedition Team
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
Note that weather conditions may affect the cruise itinerary. The itinerary below is subject to change without prior notice and serves only as a guide of possible sightseeing. During your cruise you can expect regular briefings with updates regarding the route and shore landings.
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
Today, arrive in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. This cosmopolitan city has a strong European influence which is reflected in its refined cuisine, luxurious boutiques, and in the elegance of its inhabitants. You'll be met by your tour director at the airport and your tour of the city beginsat the famous 9 de Julio Avenue, known as the widest avenue of the world. Pass by the beautiful Colon Theater, the cultural pride of Buenos Aires. Next, visit Plaza de Mayo, the main square, which is surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Cabildo (first City Hall), and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Inside the Cathedral, you'll find that the walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful frescoes, while the floor features Venetian-style mosaics. Continue to San Telmo, a historical neighborhood and the eldest district of Buenos Aires. Next, visit La Boca, a colorful area filled with painted houses and home to the famous street Caminito. Continue to the northern districts where you'll see the green area of Palermo with its parks and artificial lakes. Then visit Recoleta, which offers elegant boutiques and restaurants. Visit the cemetery of Recoleta where you'll find the grave of Eva Duarte, known as Eva Peron (Evita).This evening enjoy a welcome dinner where you'll have the opportunity to savor some delicious Argentinean beef.
Accommodations: Hotel Emperador or similar
Meals: Dinner
Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to charming Ushuaia located at the southern tip of Argentina. Upon arrival in Ushuaia you will be met and transferred to the cruise ship for your Antarctic Cruise. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner aboard the ship.
MS Fridtjof Nansen | Breakfast, Dinner
*Note: Your ship will take you as close as possible to Antarctica's wildlife and untouched wilderness. Weather conditions may affect the cruise itinerary. The itinerary below is subject to change without prior notice and serves only as a guide of possible sightseeing. During your cruise you can expect regular briefings with updates regarding the route and shore landings.
Today you’ll travel through the Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, located on the southern tip of South America. You’ll enter Drake Passage, named for the privateer Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters in the 16th century. This body of water is where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet and divides the sub-polar conditions of South America from the polar climate and conditions of Antarctica. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to see whales and numerous seabirds like the black-browed albatross and white-chinned petrels. Today you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the area’s wildlife and history from your expedition team.
| Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Note: The Drake Passage is known for rough waters.
Continue through the Drake Passage today and watch for your first glimpses of Antarctica's penguins and seals. From the observation deck, learn about the rich diversity of Antarctica from its whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds.
| Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Note: The Drake Passage is known for rough waters.
See the spectacular South Shetland Islands which consist of eleven major islands and some minor ones with a total land area of 1,424 square miles. Despite the harsh climate, the South Shetland Islands serve as a wildlife haven for seabirds, seals, and penguins, and support vegetation like algae, mosses and lichens. Weather permitting, enjoy a hike at one of the minor islands, Half Moon Island, a stunning crescent-shaped island with serrated cliffs. Identified as an Important Bird Area, this island is home to a breeding colony for south polar skuas. Here you may also see kelp gulls, chinstrap penguins, Antarctic terns, Antarctic fur seals, and whales swimming near the island's shores. You may also visit Deception Island, a caldera of an active volcano which was first explored by American sealer, Nathaniel Palmer.
| Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Note: Your ship will take you as close as possible to Antarctica's wildlife and untouched wilderness. The cruise itinerary highlights the landings we hope to make. During your cruise you can expect wet landings with typically 60 - 90 minutes on shore (subject to change based on weather).
Visit Yankee Harbour, an inner harbor on Greenwich Island. Early sealers used Yankee Harbour as a base of operations and evidence of their time here remains today. Today, you'll find a large Gentoo penguin colony with approximately 4000 breeding pairs!
| Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your ship will take you as close as possible to Antarctica's wildlife and untouched wilderness. The cruise itinerary that follows highlights the landings we hope to make. During your cruise you can expect wet landings with typically 60 - 90 minutes on shore (subject to change based on weather).
Accommodations: Travel through the spectacular Errera Channel, navigating between the icebergs to Cuverville Island where you'll see colonies of chinstrap penguins.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay, one of the few places where you can land on the Antarctic mainland. This harbor is surrounded by glacier walls and mountains, and is home to a colony of Gentoo penguins.
| Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your ship will take you as close as possible to Antarctica's wildlife and untouched wilderness. The cruise itinerary that follows highlights the landings we hope to make. During your cruise you can expect wet landings with typically 60 - 90 minutes on shore (subject to change based on weather).
Today, travel through the pristine waters of Wilhelmina Bay, named for the Queen of the Netherlands. This area is known for its scenic beauty and large population of Humpback Whales, earning the nickname “Whale-mina Bay.”
| Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your ship will take you as close as possible to Antarctica’s wildlife and untouched wilderness. The cruise itinerary highlights the landings we hope to make. During your cruise you can expect wet landings with typically 60 – 90 minutes on shore (subject to change based on weather).
Today, begin the return route back to Ushuaia, sailing through the Drake Passage. Enjoy some of your last glimpses of Antarctica's beauty, and consider joining the activities available on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue sailing through the Drake Passage, passing Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego archipelago's southernmost headland. Cape Horn was named by Dutchman Willem Schouten after the city in the Netherlands, and served as a major landmark for ships sailing around the world. Consider taking part in the activities on board the ship, and this evening enjoy a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After you disembark, transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, transfer to the hotel. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Emperador or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end today. Travelers who purchased the air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for their return flight later today.
Meals: Breakfast
We are working diligently to secure future tour dates and pricing for
this itinerary. Please fill out the "Request a Future Date" form
linked below, and we will notify you once dates are available.
Optional Tours
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours.
Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book
when you reserve your trip and can be added to your
reservation up to final payment. This is the best option
to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Optional tours require a minimum number of participants.
Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and
may cost extra. The payment methods and currency
information to purchase tours in-destination will be
provided on final documentation.
Leave Buenos Aires and drive to “Santa Susana”. The name pays homage to Susana Caffrey, Mr. Franciso Kelly’s wife. It is mostly dedicated to agriculture and tourism. When you arrive, enjoy a typical “criolla” lunch as well as a folklore dance show combined with modern melodies. Afterward, enjoy a guided visit to the Spanish-colonial style “casco” and to the authentic museum. If you would like, take a horseback ride to enjoy the stunning landscapes the lands have to offer. End the tour with some typical activities like a regional game known as “carrera de sortijas”. Here, two teams on horsebacks try to pass a pin through a small ring as they hang from a wooden arch.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Featured Accommodations
420 Del Libertador Avenue - C1001ABRCiudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires - República Argentina
Website
The brand new MS Fridtjof Nansen features eleven decks which include three restaurants, a lounge, large gym and wellness center, massive in and outdoor Observation Decks with the aft infinity pool and hot tubs. The stunning scenery will be reflected in a rich and comfortable interior design. Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch, and wool will be used to create relaxed and stylish cabins and public areas.
View Cabins and Deck Plans
Cynthia R
Nicolas Patti in Buenos Aires was an amazing Tour Guide. He was with us from start to finish and took care of each of us individually. The Hurtigruten cruise was phenomenal! The ship, the crew, the excursions rocked. You do not need to pack rubber boots, or a waterproof jacket. This is a must do for all serious travelers. There is a higher level of activities than typical: exiting ship, Drake Passage waves, dismounting from Zodiac to land, icy conditions, kayaking. Weather can not be controlled, deal with that idea. Pristine environment. Glad I was in a Hybrid ship.
Cynthia R
Nicolas Patti is Buenos Aires was an amazing Tour Guide. He was with us from start to finish and took care of each of us individually. The Hurtigruten cruise was phenomenal! The ship, the crew, the excursions rocked. You do not need to pack rubber boots, or a waterproof jacket. This is a must do for all serious travelers. There is a higher level of activities than typical: exiting ship, Drake Passage waves, dismounting from Zodiac to land, icy conditions, kayaking. Weather can not be controlled, deal with that idea. Pristine environment. Glad I was in a Hybrid ship.
DH
Everything about our February 2020 Antarctica trip was wonderful. Our guide, Nikolas, was the best of the many guides we've had with Smartours and other tour groups. He was knowledgeable, helpful, provided lots of extras throughout the trip, and was always available and looking out for our group. Consider yourself very lucky if you get to travel with Nikos. We really enjoyed our time in Buenos Aires... a nice hotel, a chance to get over jetlag before the cruise, an interesting city tour, meeting others in our group ,and time to have an orientation of what to expect once on board the ship and a chance to get our many questions answered. The real adventure started when we left BA for Ushuaia then boarded the ship. Hurtigruten does everything right on board - compact but comfortable cabins, great public spaces, a good variety/quality of food, and an amazing group of expedition leaders that do everything possible to provide daily landings and zodiac cruising. Smartours provides a stress free, all inclusive way to enjoy the entire trip - truly a bucket-list expedition that we'll never forget.
Mary L
My husband and I really enjoyed our Smartours trip to Antarctica. Our group was small and our guide, Nicolas Patti was wonderful. We were mostly seniors and Nicolas was patient and attentive to all of us. We had a walking tour of Buenos Aires (our Recoleta hotel area) which helped us to become acclimated to the city. Nicolas gave us suggestions on places to visit on free time, assisted us in the money exchanges and recommended places to eat whether we were looking for small cafe's or restaurants. It was very nice to have our own guide with us flying to and from Ushuaia and also on the ship Midnatsol. Nicolas made himself very available on the ship so we could ask questions regarding our dining, cruising, landing and kayaking. The weather was terrific and allowed us to do all the activities we planned (which doesn't always happen due to the climate). Everything on the ship was better than we expected. We are so thankful that our visit to our 7th continent was awesome. We highly recomment Nicolas.
Alice D
Love those penguins. Cruising behind the icebergs was breath-taking. Walking with penguins and seeing whales and sea lions in their natural habitat was perfect. Weather wasn't as bad as expected. Flight was even comfortable. Great job.
Alice D
Unbelievable beauty. In all my love of travel, I never dreamed I'd be seeing Antarctica - pristine waters, wonderful adventure. Enjoyed seeing thousands of penguins. Photos don't do justice to the serene, breath-takingly beautiful scenery. Great trip for a great price. Hotel accommodations in Buenos Aires are first rate. SmarTours is the only way to travel - great value and great service. This was my 7th trip with SmarTours and 4th this year - wouldn't use anyone else.
Karol S
This was one of the best Smartours I've taken. Our guide, Nicholas was wonderful and took very good care of us. The ship was much better than we expected. Antarctica speaks for itself. The experience is almost indescribable. We had great weather, and everything exceeded our expectations. The only critical feedback I would offer is to provide more information about what to take. You do not need and should not take boots. The ones they provide are wonderful. We definitely overpacked with bulky items that weighed down our suitcases. I took the Tigre Optional tour in Buenos Aires, however, and thought it was terrible. It took us two hours to reach out destination, cruised for one hour, stopped for a short visit to a less than great market, and then took another hour plus to get back. The river was dirty and full of trash. The boat was dirty with broken windows--very unpleasant.
Kenneth
Going to Antarctica was the best trip I have ever taken. Smartours arranged a perfect tour. There is not a single thing that went wrong. Everything about it was excellent ! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Great job Smartours !!!
- Ken Jackson
Anonymous
Everything went very well on my trip to Antarctica. The ship was and crew were exceptional. Transportation was well arranged. The best was our guide, Nickolas Patti. He did a wonderful job! He was helpful, informative and kind. He took great care of us and made us feel safe and secure. Our group was small and friendly. We had no problems at all. The trip was well organized and I recommend Nickolas highly as a tour guide. We have taken over 10 trips with Smartours and he was the BEST.
Maria
Our trip to Antarctia was wonderful. So glad we went! Our tour guide was always on hand. The landings we made and the Midnastol were perfect. Ship captain kept us safe even during the stormy Drake Crossing. Food was much better than we expected.
On the downside we had an awful room even though we paid $2000 extra. Beds need to be replaced.
Also Latam Airline had a crazy policy of assigning random seats to couples so that my husband and I were far apart for our overnight trip from Miami to Buenos Aires. (Yes we got strangers to switch with us).
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